Archive for the ‘Green business’ Category

Producers of Roselani Ice Cream have taken steps to reduce waste at its plant in Wailuku, Maui.

Maui Soda & Ice Works, best known as the producers of the popular line of Roselani Ice Cream, has taken a few steps to make its Wailuku operations greener. They've been making ice cream from scratch since 1932.

The company — working with University of Hawaii-Maui College students — set up recycling bins for mixed metals, mixed papers and miscellaneous recyclables plus invested in a cardboard and shrink wrap compactor which makes recyclable bales.

Maui Soda has reduced the amount of its trash going to the landfills by about three-quarters and lowered its trash bill.

"I think it is a win, win situation for everyone," said Brian Carvalho, who handles plant maintenance. "Recycling helps our environment and as a plus side you can also make a little bit of money."

The UH students will also analyze the Wailuku plant's lighting system to improve Maui Soda's overall energy efficiency.

Let's hope other companies will be inspired to recycle, if they haven't taken a few simple steps to do so yet.

Recycle Hawaii and Earth-Friendly Schools Hawaii are seeking nominations for the awards this year, which will be recognized at the America Recycles Day Concert at the Palace Theater in Hilo. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 31.

Other criteria include supporting youth programs with service learning projects designed to protect our natural resources, educate the community about climate change and honor and respect native Hawaiian gathering rights and cultural practices.

The RE Project: The Extreme Green Makeover team talks to 3rd- and 4th-graders at Kaimuki Y about energy efficiency. From L to R, Punahou grads Devon Nako, Colby Sameshina, Julian Juarez, Gordon Lai and students at the Y.

Before heading off to college in a few weeks, six students who recently graduated from Punahou will have made an impact on the Kaimuki Y on Waialae Avenue and students there.

The "RE Project: The Extreme Green Makeover" was part of a project for the Student Global Leadership Institute last summer. The theme last year was energy; this year it's health.

Their initial goal was ambitious.

They were aiming to completely retrofit the Kaimuki YMCA into a model for sustainable living, complete with solar heating systems, energy efficient appliances and lighting. They bartered with companies to supply some of these items, seeking to make a trade.

The list included a solar PV system, a solar pool water heater, Energy Star fridges, LED lamps and CFLs, energy efficient stove, power strips, auto-flush toilets and other green technology.

The four parts of the project were to 1) contact people in the community 2) complete an energy audit 3) retrofit and renovate the Y and 4) promote and educate.

Darren Kimura, president of Sopogy, volunteered to complete an energy audit of the Y last fall.

Hawaii Energy stepped up to the plate and offered some of the items in exchange for every additional 1,000 likes the team brought to its Facebook page. So an e-gauge is now part of the deal.

Just last week, the students were back at the YMCA talking to third- and fourth-graders about energy efficiency. They talked about oil and where it comes from (not anywhere in Hawaii), ways to save energy at home and what an EnergyStar appliance is.

Students, donning green hats, walked around the facility to hunt for high-energy users at the Y, identified by a paper lightning bolt. They looked at air-conditioners, the refrigerator and computers. What part of the Y uses the most energy? Turns out it's the swimming pool.

To demonstrate the difference between an incandescent light bulb and CFL (compact fluorescent light), student volunteers went up to turn a hand crank. It takes a lot more cranking to get the incandescent bulb to turn on, much less effort to turn on the CFL. They learned what a smart strip was, and how it could save energy if devices are plugged into one that shuts off automatically at night. They even learned a little bit about global warming, beach erosion and sea level rise.

Kaimuki Y student colors a page with a tip on how to save energy at home.

Afterwards, students colored pages with suggestions on how to save energy, like: "Turn off lights when not in use" and "Remove plugs when not in use" to laminate and take home.

Noa Hussey, the Y's branch executive, said the facility is exploring ways to become more energy efficient and cut back on energy costs. Some of that can happen with simple steps and others might take more investment and time to accomplish. The gears have started rolling, thanks to the project.

"The Y is about youth development, healthy living and social responsibility," said Hussey. "So this is actually the socially responsible thing to do."

Hawaii Energy agreed to supply an e-gauge, which helps monitor how much energy is being used in the facility - but it may take some time before it gets installed. The team is still anticipating that it will obtain a solar heater for the pool and replace the fridge and freezer in the kitchen with EnergyStar appliances.

What they certainly have accomplished is a new way of thinking and increased awareness among students and staff at the Y.

Though the students won't be passing on the project, they've jumpstarted something positive and hopefully it will continue — and they'll go on to make positive changes in the world. All are interested in sustainability for the future.

Gordon Lai heads to UC Berkeley to study business, Colby Sameshina will pursue environmental studies at Tufts University, Devon Nako studies business (with a possible focus on the green energy sector later on) at Creighton University and Julian Juarez heads to Willamette University. Whatever they do later in life, they'll make a difference.

The Brewers Festival raises funds for environmental, educational and cultural causes. To see a list of beneficiaries, visit Sunetric's blog (and is giving away iPod Shuffles and other prizes to help raise awareness). They include everyone from The ACF Chefs de Cuisine Kona Kohala Chapter to the Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii.

Sunetric is also bringing its Watt Wheels mobile solar energy station (a bright blue Honda Element retrofitted with three 230-watt SunPower modules) to power one of the festival's stages.

It takes up to four cups of oil. If you don't use it all up right away, you can store this box under your sink or in the fridge. When done, toss it into your trash can for curbside pickup (the oil will in turn go to HPOWER and be converted back into energy).

The Whoa! Fat Kitchen Oil Disposal Box has a cute logo, a chef pouring his frying pan oil into a box. He looks like he's having fun. Courtesy of Whoa! Fat.

The logo is fun and kind of catchy.

Fats, oils and grease — collectively known as FOG — are the city sewer system's No. 1 enemy, according to a city report. When you pour oil down your sink, it cools in the sewer line and solidifies, potentially forming clogs that can cause your sewer to overflow or back up into buildings.

This goes for pretty much any kind of oil, including olive oil (which is what I mostly cook with) for simple stir-fries. It's not just the big vat of oils used to fry foods that we're talking about.

Brothers Chea and CJ Peat of CP Distributions LLC are the distributors of the Whoa! Fat box. They're getting the word out via social media, on Whoa! Fat's Facebook page as well as website.

Chea is actually a property manager, and he can tell you firsthand of the woes and expenses condo associations have had to go through to fix their sewer lines due to people pouring excess grease and oil down their sinks.

The boxes replace more traditional oil disposal methods, which include pouring oil into old milk cartons, jars and paper towels to clean up excess cooking oils. One reader called in to say you could make your own oil disposal box out of recycled half-gallon milk cartons and recycled newspapers — I think you certainly could and that's not a bad idea if you don't want to shell out money to buy a box. You would be recycling and keeping grease out of the sewer lines.

If you don't want to make your own box, then you can buy a Whoa! Fat box. What I like is that these boxes are actually manufactured here out of materials recycled from the island.

If you don't have access to Internet (as another reader informed me), you can pick up a Whoa! Fat box at Napa Auto Parts in Hawaii Kai (333 Keahole St.) and Kaimuki (3562 Waialae Ave.) or at Kale's Natural Foods at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center (377 Keahole St.).

Kahu Curt Kekuna conducts a blessing for FarmRoof's first urban rooftop farm in Kakaako as founder Alan Joaquin stands by. The farm will measure close to 1 acre, when done. CSA subscriptions are available from FarmRoof.com. Photos by Nina Wu.

Want to order up some Kakaako-grown, organic kale and arugula? You may be able to do so soon from the expansivee rooftop at Auto Mart USA (the former CompUSA building) at 604 Ala Moana Blvd.

Eating local has taken on a new dimension.

FarmRoof, a Waimanalo-based company founded by Alan Joaquin, installed the first phase of the urban farm this morning on Auto Mart's rooftop. Eventually, it will measure 38,000 square feet, or close to an acre.

Among the greens to be planted are organic heirloom kale, arugula and mustard greens.

Harvest-time is expected in as little as three weeks.

The farm plans to supply the community, local retailers and chefs with an assortment of crops. You can sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription at www.FarmRoof.com. The first delivery (by bike) is anticipated on Feb. 3, 2012.

With Kahu Curt Kekuna's blessing, the long rows of soil-containing mesh sacks were unfurled, a small hole was broken at the top, and the first few seeds of kale were planted with a sprinkling of water.

These sacks contain ultra lightweight soil, according to Joaquin, and are infused with more than 70 minerals, trace elements, micro-nutrients and indigenous microorganisms. FarmRoof's greens are certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The system, he says, offers a 10 to 1 production gain over a conventional farm, uses 90 percent less water and can be powered by a single 9-volt battery. If there's not enough rain, there's an internal irrigation system that waters the greens.

FarmRoof's system will harness the sun's energy while also cooling down AutoMart's interior downstairs.

"What we're trying to do is start a revolution," said Joaquin, who pointed to the nearby port which he said ships in 85 to 90 percent of our food at an average distance of 4,500 miles. "We're trying to take that wasted roof space and turn it into healthy food. If even 25 percent of the available flat rooftops in Kakaako, Honolulu and Waikiki had FarmRoofs installed, we could grow enough loose leaf lettuce to feed every man, woman and child in Hawaii, with Zero Food Miles"

There are rooftop farms in the urban core of cities like Chicago and New York.

FarmRoof is subleasing the space from Auto Mart USA as part of a deal brokered by landowner Kamehameha Schools. A rooftop farm is also expected to be installed on a housing complex at 680 Ala Moana Blvd.

Get ready for Hawaii's first Carrotmob this Saturday at The Wine Stop. Photo from www.carrotmobhawaii.com.

Get ready for Hawaii's first Carrotmob.

What is Carrotmob, you ask? It's "a new way for people to change businesses. In a boycott, everyone loses. In a Carrotmob, everyone wins." It's a concept started by a San Francisco-based non-profit. You can watch a cartoon explanation here.

The state's first carrotmob is being organized by KYA Sustainability Studio, which is encouraging shoppers to buy a bottle of wine or beer between 1 to 5 p.m. this Saturday (Nov. 19) at The Wine Stop at 1809 S. King St.

Here's how it works: KYA Sustainability Studio organizes Carrotmob, encouraging people to shop at The Wine Stop this Saturday afternoon. The Wine Stop, a local business, has agreed to direct 80 percent of sales generated by Carrotmob towards a retrofit of the building's energy system. (KYA Sustainability Studio, by the way, is just down the street from The Wine Stop).

For every $20 spent, mobbers will also receive raffle tickets for prize giveaways sponsored by Mobi PCS.

The Wine Stop — which is owned by Kamehameha Schools grad Liane Fu and business partner Kim Karalovich — has already had an energy audit completed of its small, orange-colored, one-story store, complimentary of Energy Industries LLC. The Wine Stop plans to replace existing lights with more energy-efficient LED lights, and install Energy Star rated walk-in refrigeration components. It also hopes to save up for a full air-conditioning retrofit as well as a solar PV system down the line.

"It makes sense because if we continue using our natural resources to the extent that we are, then it's going to be a horror movie," said Fu. "Right now, we don't feel it, but in the future it will be felt. I feel that we need to focus on sustainable choices now to prevent disaster in the future."

It's also a creative way to help Hawaii reach its goal of energy independence. Let's hope there will be more carrotmobs to come. You can learn more by visiting www.carrotmobhawaii.com.

Hawaiian Springs bottled water is being offered to APEC delegates and global media. Will those bottles by recycled by APEC attendees or carelessly tossed in the trash? Photo from hawaiianspringswater.com.

They came from as far as Chile, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, as well as Papua New Guinea, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, China, Malaysia and Russia.

Calculated as a whole, that itself is a pretty significant carbon footprint. On the other hand, due to road closures, more cars will be staying off certain roads locally, leading to a reduction in the carbon footprint but not likely enough to offset 20,000 airplane trips from abroad.

But we don't make it easy to do here. Unfortunately, Honolulu is behind many other U.S. states and APEC nations when it comes to its recycling infrastructure. Most of Waikiki's public venues, including Kapiolani Park and the main stretch of Kalakaua Avenue, have no recycling bins. Our beach parks have no recycling bins, either, where we need them most.

Many Waikiki hotels continue to throw out newspapers and other items which could be recycled on a daily basis while others have made an effort to recycle. It's only in response to guest requests — guests who want to know why there aren't recycling bins in the rooms — that many changes have been made.

Some hotels are leading the way in implementing this change.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village , where dignitaries are staying, has long had a good recycling system set up at its facilities, as well as the Sheraton Waikiki, which recently implemented a sorting center to separate all guest room generated waste materials. The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina, where the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be this weekend, was given the "Hawaii Green Business Award" in March.

Still, we probably could do better as the host of APEC's 2011 summit. Other cities that were vying for APEC, including San Francisco and New York, have better recycling infrastructures in place as cities than Honolulu. Instead of lagging behind, we could be a model for green practices. It's time for a new awareness and a new consciousness.

APEC leaders will negotiate free trade and CEOs will discuss "The Future. Redefined" and "Cities of the Future" while they are here. At the very least, I hope APEC attendees will take the individual step of recycling that water bottle, even though there's no convenient place to do so.

The company installed a 433-7-kW solar PV system on its rooftop, with a total of 1,408 panels spread across 25,000 square feet of existing roof space. That's a pretty large system (RevoluSun did the job).

With a price tag of $2.7 million, the new PV system is expected to power a quarter of the energy used by its administrative and printing operations.

It's also one of the first commercial installations to take advantage of HECO's feed-in tariff program. That means that any excess energy produced by Hagadone will by purchased by HECO at market rate prices.

The system is expected to save Hagadone more than $160,000 in electricity costs in its first year, and to pay for itself in about six years. I would imagine other commercial businesses will follow suit.

Gardens not only teach kids where their food comes from, but how to eat healthy. Whole Foods is now accepting donations for garden grants. Photo courtesy Whole Kids Foundation.

While ringing up your goods at Whole Foods Market, you can now conveniently donate $1 or $5 to Whole Kids Foundation, which offers grants for gardens in schools.

The newly launched Whole Kids Foundation is offering $2,000 grants apiece to schools or groups that want to launch or expand garden projects from now through Dec. 31. A total of 1,000 grants are available.

The Foundation was launched in order to increase children's access to healthy foods.

Last year, for instance, Whole Foods partnered with F3 (the Food, Family, Farming Foundation) for its salad bar project, in which it helped install 57 salad bars in schools across the U.S., including Halau Ku Mana and Waikiki School (Oahu), Kanuikapono Public Charter School and Kapaa High School (Kauai) and Haleakala Waldorf School, Hana School and Kihei Charter School (Maui).

On a national level, the Environmental Working Group in Washington DC is also rallying for new government guidelines for marketing unhealthy foods to children to combat childhood obesity. EWG is asking for your help in telling the CEOs of 13 major food manufacturers (including General Mills, Kellogg's, Kraft and McDonald's) to market healthier food to kids instead of junk food.

The EWG suggested food companies voluntary adopt two principles: to make a meaningful contribution to a healthful diet by containing a significant amount of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products or extra lean meat. Also, to have only "minimal quantities of nutrients that could have a negative impact on health and weight," such as sodium, saturated fat, trans fat and added sugars.

It's interesting when you look at the list of ingredients under foods packaged specifically for kids – you really have to be careful — sometimes sugar and high fructose corn syrup are second on the list, especially in boxed cereals and even in biscuits geared towards toddlers.